Leg construction for hand trucks



Dec. 28. 1926. 1,612,400

H. G. THOMSON LEG CONSTRUCTION FOR HAND Tnpcxs Filed Feb. 20, 1926 a in:

Patented Dec. 28, 1926.

barren s'rarss HERBERT Gr. THOMSON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

LEG CONSTRUCTION FOR HAND TRUCKS.

Application filed February This invention relates to hand trucks of the type wherein the side frame members of the truck are composed of U-bars of rolled or pressed steel to which depending supporting legs are secured adjacent the forward or handle ends of the members. Such trucks are used by stevedores and others for the transportation of heavy loads, and in consequence the trucks are subjected to rough usage, particularly the legs and their connection with the side members when the heavily laden truck is released by the user and permitted to drop upon its legs.

The object of my invention is to provide a truck having a leg construction of such character that the side frame and leg members, by virtue of their relative cross-sectional contour and the inherent elasticity of the frame members, cooperate to effect and ensure a firm and reliable, yet resilient, con

nection of the respective members when they are associated and fastened together.

To this end, the invention comprises novel structural features and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings I Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a portion of a side bar and the associated leg of a hand truck embodying my invention in its preferred form.

Fig. 2 is a transverse section through the bar and leg connection, as on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, 5 designates one of the longitudinal frame members of a hand truck, which member is composed of a U-bar of rolled or pressed steel having a downwardly curved end portion bent to circular cross-section to constitute an integral handle (not shown).

7 designates a depending leg element fitted into and secured to the underside of the frame member adjacent the handle portion. This leg preferably consists of a section of oval steel bent to form two diverging members having at their upper or free ends oppositely extending flange bends 8 which are seated within the U-bar member and are respectively fastened thereto by means of rivets 9 extending transversely through the terminal bends 8 and the roof or arch of the bar, as shown. Since each of the rivets passes through the large middle portion of the oval bend an extended support for the rivet is ensured.

20, 1926. Serial No. 89,587.

The cross-sectional curvature of the metal of which the leg is composed is such in relation to the cross-section of the frame member that the thin longitudinal edges 10 of each of the terminal portions 8 of the leg contacts with the opposing inner curved surface of the frame member, the upper convex surface of such terminal portion being spaced, as at 11, from the concave roof of the frame member. Hence when the associated leg and framemember are fastened together by the rivets 9, as above mentioned, the edges 10 of each portion 8, in the plane of the major axes of the oval, bear against the opposing curved surface of the frame member, and by virtue of the space 11 between the latter and such portion 8, a lateral binding and wedging action of great force is exerted between the opposing parts, thus ensuring a firm and reliable connection between the leg and the frame member. In addition, the inherently elastic character of the frame member, by reason of its U-formation, ensures a resilient or cushioning effect between the legs and the frame of the truck, when the heavily laden truck is released by the user and permitted to drop upon the legs, thereby appreciably absorbing the resulting jar and minimizing the force of the shock on the rivet connection.

Since the legs are of oval metal they can be readily gripped by the hands of the user when moving the truck into position to receive or discharge a load.

It is to be understood that my invention is not limited to the precise cross-sectional formations of the frame and leg members herein disclosed, as the same may be modi-- fied within the principle of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim- 1. In a hand truck, a U-shaped frame bar of rolled or pressed steel, a leg having an upper terminal portion formed with two thin longitudinal edges and seated within the said bar, the said edges being in contact with the opposing inner curved surface of the bar, and the upper surface of such portion between the edges being below and freely spaced from the roof of the bar, and a fastening device between the said leg portion and the roof of the bar.

2. In a hand truck, a U-shaped frame bar of rolled or pressed steel, a leg having an upper terminal portion formed with an upper convex surface seated within the said bar,

ill

the longitudinal edges of such portion being in Contact with the opposing inner curved surface of the bar and the upper convex sur face of such portion being below and freely spaced from the roof of the bar, and a fastening device between the said leg portion and the roof of the frame bar.

3. In a hand truck, a U-shaped frame bar of rolled or pressed steel, a leg comprising two diverging members having upper terminal portions formed with upper convex surfaces seated Within the said bar, the longitudinal edges of such portion being in contact with the opposing inner curved surface of the bar and the upper convex surfaces of such portions being below and freely spaced from the roof of the bar, and fastening devices between the said leg portions and the roof of the bar.

4. In a hand truck, a U-shaped frame bar of rolled or pressed steel, a leg of oval crosssection metal having an upper terminal bend seated Within the said bar, the thin longitudinal edges of such bend being in contact with the opposing inner curved surface of the bar and the upper convex sur-- face of such bend being below and freely spaced from the roof of the bar, and a rivet extending through and connecting the said leg bend and the roof of the frame bar.

Signed at New York, in the count; and tale of New York, this 18th day of February, A. D. 1926.

HERBERT G. THOMSON. 

